Vacuum cleaner



Patented Feb. 24, 1942 I VACUUM CLEANER George W. Non-rick, New Canaan, Conn., assignor to Electrolux' Corporation, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application March 17, 1939, Serial No. 262,403

3 I Claims.

This invention relatesto vacuum cleaners and more particularly to vacuum cleaners of the type having a casing pulled around the floor by a hose.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved vacuum cleaner casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide guard plates or bumpers for a vacuum cleaner casing.

What is considered to be novel and'invention may be better understood by reference to the following specification and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a complete vacuum cleaner; a

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the vacuum cleaner casing broken away in part; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the securing means for the side guard plates of the casing.

Referring to the drawing. Fig. 1, the numeral ||l designates the vacuum cleaner casing generally. A cleaning tool II is connected to casing ID by means of a flexible hose |2.' For convenience in manipulating the cleaning tool II, a tubular member or handle l3 may be interposed between the cleaning tool I and flexible hose l2.

Casing I0 is supported on a horizontal surface I4 by two sleighs I5, only one of which is shown in the drawing, In the usual operation of the vacuum cleaner, the casing I0 is moved around on the surface being cleaned by means of the flexible hose l2. A handle I6 is provided for the casing ID for convenience in moving the casing In some distance, as from one room to another, or when removing it from or-returning it to a place of storage.

As'best indicated in Fig. 2, a ring I1 is secured to casing ID by bolts l8 and a bracket l9 located exterior to the casing III at each side. Similar seeming means, not shown, are provided for a ring 20 located at the opposite end of casing In from the ring H.

A guard plate 2| is provided for each side of the casing I0, only one of which is shown in the drawing, for covering the exterior securing means for the two end rings l1 and 20, and to serve as bumpers for the casing ID, as will be explained below.

Guard plate 2| is secured to casing l0 by means of two spring keys 22. Keys 22 enter guardplate 2| through openings 23 at the bottom and engage brackets 24. Key 22 is securely en'- gaged in a locking position by a force produced by the free end of the key riding up an inclined surface 25, formedin a locking plate 26, which is secured to guard plate 2| by means of rivets 21. When the guard plate 2| is locked in position two arms 28 of plate 26 straddle the bracket 24. The key 22 passes between the two arms 28 and through bracket 24 and engages the inclined surface 25. As the spring key 22 is moved into locking position, the free end rides up the inclined surface 25 to substantially the top of the surface, as indicated in Fig. 3. When in this position, the key 22 produces a force tending to hold the plate 2| tightly in engagement with the cas ing l0. Transverse movement of plate 2| is prevented by extensions 32 from the rings l1 and 20 which are tightly engaged by plate 2|. To remove the key 22, the hooked end 29 may be engaged by a tool and the key lifted to the top of the opening 23 to permit the passage of a projection 30, positioned within the guard plate 2|. The key 22 may then be easily removed from its locking position. y

In the operation of the vacuum cleaner, the cleaning tool II is moved backward and forward over a surface being cleaned. After a particular areahas been cleaned, the casing I0 is moved to a new location simply by pulling on the flexible hose I2. As the vacuum cleaner casing I0 is moved from one location to another, it may contact with the legs or lower portions of furniture. To protect this furniture from scratching or marring by sharp edges on the sides of the cleaner, the plate 2| is provided to cover the securing means for the two end rings- I1 and 20 and also to provide a bumper or surface, which will withstand the force of the contact with the furniture and will protect the body or casing H) from injury. The plate 2| is provided with a number of longitudinal ribs 3l' formed with smooth curves so that no sharp edges will be presented. The ribs 3| also reduce the'area of contact between the furniture and the guard. A large smooth area would show scratches on the guard plate itself as a result of contact with furniture. The arrangement of the spring keys 22 entering from the bottom through side openings in the guard plate 2| as securing means for the plate conceals them from view, and also does not present any exposed or projecting parts which might damage furniture on contact. In addi tion, the key 22' provides securing means for the plate 2| which makes it possible to efliciently and readily secure the plate 2| to the casing ID or remove it therefrom as desired.

The guard plate 2| is preferably formed of a thin guage metal that is relatively flexible and so will absorb shocks without permanent deformation'and without transmitting them to the casing II]. It may be found desirable to form the guard 2| of rubber or other flexible plastic material. v

What I claim is:

l. A vacuum cleaner including a casing, a guard plate for said casing'presenting a relatively smooth exterior bumper surface, a bracket secured to said casing beneath said guard plate, a locking plate secured to said guard plate and having arms straddling said bracket, and a key for securing said guard plate to said casing entering a side opening in said guard plate passing. between the arms of said lockingplate and through said bracket, a free end of said key riding up an inclined surface provided in said locking plate for producing a force holding. said guard plate in engagement with said casing.

2. In a vacuum cleaner having a casing, a guard plate for said casing having an exterior surface free of sharp edges to serve as a bumper for said casing, a U-shapedbracket secured to said casing beneath said guard plate, a locking plate secured to said guard plate having arms straddling said bracket and an inclined surface, and a key entering a side opening of said guard plate extending through said bracket between the arms of said locking plate and engaging an inclined surface of said locking plate, said key having a projection adjacent one end to prevent accidental removal of said key from its locking position.

3. In a vacuum cleaner having a casing, a guard plate for said casing having a ribbed exterior surface serving as a bumper for said casing, a bracket secured to said casing beneath said guard plate, a locking plate carried by said guard plate having arms straddling said bracket and an inclined surface located at the ends of said arms, and a spring key extending through an opening in said uard plate and engaging said bracket and the inclined surface of said locking plate to hold said guard plate in position on said casing. Y

GEORGE W. NORRICK. 

